Act 5~Akt 5—Auditions

Narrator's POV

It was a cool December day, Friday morning when Ahiru rose,

"Auditions are today!"

She jumped on the bed as she cried out with joy, nearly falling off the bed.

"Offff, I wonder if Fakir's up yet?"

Ahiru jumped off her bed as she walked towards the door and looked down the hall, there was a light on. Thus she walked down the hallway and found Fakir's door was slightly cracked open, thus she peeked her head in and was in awe at what she saw. Fakir was dancing, but it was different from the way he usually danced, it was kinder, gentler, softer, and more inviting. If it weren't for the fact that Ahiru was spying on him, she would have joined him.

"Wow, he's even better than before."

"What, who's there?"

His voice however, was harsh and irritated.

"Ohh."

Ahiru tried to get up quickly, but he was much faster than her.

"Ahiru, what are you doing?"

"Oh, I was just uhh . . . looking?"

Ahiru blushed as she scratched her head, her orange hair a mess.

"Hm, well we should get ready, auditions are today and it would be best to get to ballet class early."

Fakir said calmly.

"Oh ya, good idea."

Ahiru nodded as she stood, Fakir helping her up.

"Well, I'll met you downstairs for breakfast."

"Ya, sure Fakir."

Ahiru nodded as she turned and walked toward her room, though it seemed his hand lingered around hers for longer than "necessary." She thought it strange for him to be doing such a romantic thing with her. Her cheeks turned a light shade of pink as she though of Fakir as she used to think of Mytho (Prince Siegfried). But she thought, Fakir probably doesn't feel like that about me, I'm no Rue.

They both got ready, had breakfast in silence and went out the door to the academy. Pike and Lillie were both already waiting by the fountain in the center of school for Fakir and Ahiru.

"Well, it's about time!"

Pike declared as she stood, her hands on her hips as she leaned her torso forward, her face clearly in a frustrated state.

"It's finally time! Ahiru you're moment has come!"

Lillie skipped towards Ahiru until she was only inches away from her face, forming her hand into a fist as she grinned, somewhat scaring Ahiru causing her to back into Fakir. Surprisingly, he held her and rubbed her arm.

"It's fine Ahiru, they're just excited for you. You'll do fine with your audition today." He smiled earnestly at her, her cheeks reddened as she simply nodded her head and gulped, managing to look into his large green eyes before facing forward. Fakir smiled, though he was surprised when he found Ahiru had taken hold of his hand, forcing him to walk alongside her. She must be nervous. He thought, since she was gripping his hand so tight.

"Well good morning ladies."

Miranda smiled as she greeted the group, the rest of the advanced class right behind her.

"Ready for auditions?"

Georgiana asked as she had a confident and "ready" look upon her face, she was observing her nails as she brushed them against her shirt.

"This is the day!"

Olive cried with joy as she began to spin on the balls of her feet, twirling around everyone.

"Hmm, seems like it came up so fast."

Calypso ran fingers through her hair as she spotted her last "fling" observing her from a distance. She blew him a kiss as he fell over; she chuckled, then walked towards Miranda and leaned in to look at Ahiru and Fakir's hands.

"Oh, are you two officially going out?"

Calypso asked.

"What? N-no!"

Ahiru turned bright red as she tried to hold up both hands and shake them, along with her head, though she found that Fakir's hand also came up.

"Oh Fakir, I'm sorry. I must have done it without thinking."

Ahiru apologized as she released his hand.

"No, it's fine, I didn't mind it so much."

Fakir had one of those smiles again; the one that made Ahiru's heart beat so fast. It was so honest, and kind, as if he was saying: I honestly liked doing that with you, please, let's hold hands again Ahiru. It was as if he reminded her of someone.

"Well that's a shame."

Calypso shrugged as she dropped the whole situation, seeing that the two of them clearly needed more time.

"Well ladies, we'd best head to History. I don't want to be late, and if we finish all the assignments early, we can go practice."

Miranda began to walk towards their class.

"Bye, we'll see you at lunch?" Miranda waved, as the rest of the girls bid them farewell and were on their way, catching up with Miranda.

"Alright classh, it'sh going to be a free range classh today. But I expect you to practice, practice, practice!"

Mr. Cat walked into the room, and allowed the class to practice for the auditions later that day. Thus, all the students practiced together with their partners, or individually.

"One, two, three, one, two, three."

Ahiru counted to herself as she flexed her leg out, using the bar to keep her balance. As she was stretching herself out she felt eyes on her. Little did she know that Fakir was watching her as he also stretched out and managing to keep an eye on her. He wasn't too far from her, not wanting to miss a single step, and knowing that they'd probably dance a par de dues together for the audition.

"Do you want me to help you stretch?"

Fakir asked bravely, awaiting her answer.

"Sure."

Ahiru smiled sweetly, not noticing that Fakir also blushed when he saw her looking at him, but not the way others did, she saw who he really was. He honestly wanted to thank her for that, and the only way he thought he could do that was bing there for her, helping her, guiding her, like she had for him. Thus Fakir gave her his hand and they began with stretching, then dancing, they danced as the prince and the princess, letting all their emotions out with every step, every pose, and they smiled when they needed to, they wore sad expressions when the dances were sad, and happy expressions when the dance was happy. Ahiru had mastered pointe and it didn't cause her any pain, all she felt was joy. As she and Fakir were rehearsing one of their dances, Ahiru looked up at him and realized something.

"You know Fakir I love to dance, it makes me feel so happy. But I feel honored; I get to dance the role of Princess Odette and Odile. I just hope I can master their emotions."

"Of course you will, idiot."

Fakir had called Ahiru names numerous time, but this was the first time that he sad it . . . lovingly.

"Now everyone, I hope you have prepared yourshelvesh for thish very moment. Now for thoshe of you who are auditioning for the enshemble, pleashe line up at the bar and shtretch, you will all be dancing the exert choshen for you. Thoshe of you who are auditioning for a lead role, you will be called in by name. Take thish time to shtretch and warm up, we will be calling you in shortly."

Mr. Cat held his hands together as he smiled, enthusiastic for the auditions, seeing what the outcome of everyone's practice. And seeing how excited all the students were preparing for their auditions; it was quite frightening however. Everyone had prepared themselves, but they all seemed to be a bundle of nerves at first, they were all wondering who'd be called in first for their individual audition.

"It'sh time!"

Mr. Cat walked in, clipboard in hand, everyone looked up from what they were doing and awaited for the names to be called.

"Jusht be warned, the enshemblesh will be firsht, followed by sholo dancersh, the shupporting rolesh, and followed by the lead rolesh. The Shwan Queen will be auditioned lasht, the reshultsh will be poshted on Monday. Now, all of you who wish to be in jusht enshemble line up!"

Several girls and boys stood, stepped forward and walked to form a line. Mr. Cat held the door open for them as they walked throu2gh, the doors were closed and there wasn't a sound afterward. Everyone stood still for a moment, but eventually got back to work.

Time went by quickly, and one after another, they were called in, after the ensemble, it was the solo dancers, the supporting roles, followed by lead roles, then finished with auditions for Swan Queen. And as each girl auditioning for Swan Queen was called in, they did their best, and were thanked for their performance and were sent on their way. Finally, Ahiru was called in, she felt her entire body trembling as she walked in, managing to curtsy, and asked to take a deep breath, control her breathing, and nod when she was ready.

"Huuuu hooooooohh."

She inhaled, then exhaled, looked up and nodded at Mr. Cat. She took her stance, waited for the music to start, and she began to dance, the room was silent, but she was far to entranced by her concentration, she was graceful, yet poised and relaxed, it all came out very naturally as she was able to finish the dance for Princess Odette, then she was to perform a piece for Princess Odile, then lastly, she was to perform with one of the boys who was likely to play Prince Siegfried. Thus, she took a deep breath and snapped into action, her moves were sharp and enticing, calling you in, yet seductive, and mysterious. She flew through the air and landed on her left foot as she began to fouette, her eyes sharp and extremely intimidating, yet enticing. Fakir was looking into the room and was in awe of her, he felt his heart leaping out of his chest. Suddenly, the music stopped and they gestured him to come in, he did so, and awaited Mr. Cat's orders.

"Alright, now, we'd like to shee Missh Ahiru dance with Mr. Fakir, firsht ash Princessh Odette, then ash Princessh Odile."

"Of course Mr. Cat. Fakir?"

Ahiru nodded over to Fakir, trying to get his approval.

"Right."

He nodded as he got into position.

The two danced as one, their souls seeming to communicate with one another, the melody carrying them through, until the final leap and spin. As they settled down, the judges applauded them, all standing, Mr. Cat wiping away a few tears from his eyes. They both smiled as the next song began to play, and Ahiru managed to focus in order to channel her inner Princess Odile, and as the music began, she flirted with the Prince, calling him in with her eyes, her body ensuring he'd follow. As they glided across the floor, Fakir felt he was loosing himself again, but this time, in a different way. His heart was racing, and he felt he couldn't take his eyes off her for a moment. He kept chasing after her, but she was being such a tease. She even smirked at him, and as he bowed down, she wrapped her arms around him in an embrace, their lips centimeters away from each other as the song ended. Once again, the crowd was giving them a stranding ovation, praising the two of them, Mr. Cat no longer able to conceal his tears as he praised them. They were both thanked and walked out of the room.

"Wow, I don't think they applauded anyone up until now."

Fakir stated, shocked from their reactions.

"Yay, it was pretty great, being up there, it just felt right, you know?"

Ahiru looked up at him, her eyes gleaming with enthusiasm.

"Ya, it did, didn't it?"

Fakir smiled back.

"You're back!"

Pike hollered out as she ran to Ahiru's side.

"Yes, how did it go?"

Lillie begged.

"We heard clapping!"

Pike chimed in.

"Yes, they did clap for the two of us."

Ahiru nodded, as she stated this answer matter of fact.

"Wooww!"

Pike sighed.

"Oh, our little duck must have done so well!"

Lillie swooned as she plopped to the ground.

"Yes, well we ought to be going now. Don't you think?"

He looked down at Ahiru.

"Yes, it's time for dinner now, and we won't hear the results until Monday."

She smiled at him as they walked away, their stomachs feeling somewhat strange.